Leash training device and a method of using the same to train a domesticated animal

ABSTRACT

A leash training device embodying a non-invasive and non-threatening method of using the same to train a dog is provided. The leash training device may include a liquid sprayer having a housing forming a handle portion and a leash assembly. While grasping the handle portion so as to manage the dog on the other end of the leash assembly, the liquid sprayer is adapted so that the user may discharge a jet of liquid from a reservoir secured within the housing. The method includes discharging the jet at or on the dog engaged in bad behavior.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisionalapplication No. 62/017,022, 25 Jun. 2014, the contents of which areherein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the training of domesticated animalsand, more particularly, to a dog leash training device and anon-invasive and non-threatening method of using the same to train adog.

Bad dog behavior is a common issue when walking your dog. It can presentmany dangerous situations for the dog, bystanders, nearby property, andthe dog owner, whereby personal injury, property damage and legalliability are at risk.

Current devices and methods of using them to train dogs involve choking,yanking, loud noises, electric shocks and other means that canphysically and emotionally scar the dog. Giving rise to other relatedbehavioral problems in the dog.

As can be seen, there is a need for a dog leash training device and anon-invasive and non-threatening method of using the same to train adog.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, leash training device includes ahousing having a front end and a rear end, wherein the housing forms anengagement opening and a handle portion; a sprayer outlet disposed nearthe front end; a leash assembly disposed near the front end; a reservoirsecured within the engagement opening; and a liquid sprayer housedwithin the housing so as to fluidly communicate the sprayer outlet tothe reservoir, wherein the liquid sprayer disposes a trigger near thehandle portion.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of training adomesticated animal restrained by a leash by using the above-mentionedleash training device includes filling the reservoir with a liquid;connecting the leash to the leash hook; and triggering the liquidsprayer to urge a jet of liquid from the reservoir, through the sprayoutlet, and toward the domesticated animal engaged in correctiblebehavior.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a back perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, taken from 5-5 in FIG. 1, illustrating a pressure assembly ina loaded position;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged section view of a portion of the exemplaryembodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged section view of a portion of the exemplaryembodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged section view of a portion of the exemplaryembodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a leashtraining device embodying a non-invasive and non-threatening method ofusing the same to train a domesticated animal, such as a dog. The leashtraining device may include a liquid sprayer having a housing forming ahandle portion and a leash assembly. While grasping the handle portionso as to manage the dog on the other end of the leash assembly, theliquid sprayer is adapted so that the user may discharge a jet of liquidfrom a reservoir secured within the housing. The method includesdischarging the jet at or on the dog engaged in bad behavior.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 10, the present invention may include atraining device 100 embodied in a method 200 for training a domesticatedanimal 52, including but not limited to a house pet, such as a dog, thatengages in correctible behavior and that can understand commands relatedthereto. The training device 100 may include a liquid sprayer 80 havinga housing forming a handle portion 64 and a leash assembly 90. Thehousing may be formed from the joining of a first portion 10 and asecond portion 12. The first portion 10 and the second portion 12 may bedimensioned and adapted so as to provide a plurality fastener holes thatalign when interconnected by a plurality of fasteners 48. In analternative embodiment, the housing may be formed from a unitaryconstruction. The housing may have a front and rear ends. The handlingportion 64 may be disposed near the rear end. The handle portion 64 maybe dimensioned and adapted to enable a user 50 to single-handedlycontrol the training device 10 so that it functions in accordance withthe present invention as described herein.

The housing may form an engagement space dimensioned and adapted tosecurely engage a reservoir 14 when the housing is joined or formed. Thereservoir 14 may form a cavity for receiving a liquid 56, such as water,liquid chemicals, liquid mixtures or the like. The reservoir 14 may format least one depression 58. The reservoir 14 may form an inlet 66 and aspray outlet 46 for receiving and discharging the liquid 56,respectively. A gasket 20 and a cap 18 may be dimensioned and adaptedfor providing a water-light seal about the inlet 66. The spray outlet 46may be adapted to discharge a liquid flow 60 under pressure. The sprayoutlet 46 may be disposed toward the front end of the housing.

The housing may form a plurality of attachment lips 44. The plurality ofattachment lips 44 may be dimensioned and adapted to removably secure aflex bowl 16 provided by the present invention. The flex bowl 16 maytherefore be used to receive the liquid 56 for providing to thedomesticated animal 52.

The liquid sprayer 80 may include a pressure assembly 70. The pressureassembly 70 may include a trigger 24, a pump body 26, a spring 28, aplunger 30, an in-valve ball 32, an in-valve 34 and a tube 36 operablyinterconnected, as illustrated FIGS. 4 through 8, so as to urge theliquid flow 60 through the liquid sprayer 80 under pressure. The pumpbody 26 forms a chamber dimensioned and adapted to support theinterconnected spring 28 and the plunger 30 and a portion of the liquid56. The pump body 26 may form a pump ingress for receiving and a pumpegress for discharging the liquid flow 60. The tube 36 may extend fromthe pump ingress and further into the cavity of the reservoir 14.

The plunger 30 may act as a piston movable from a loaded position to anunloaded position by manually exerting and releasing, respectively,force on the interconnected trigger 24. Exerting force on the trigger 24urges the plunger 30 to apply pressure the portion of the liquid 56within the chamber, as illustrated in FIG. 5, causing the liquid 56 toflow out the spray outlet 46 as a jet or spray of the liquid 56. Uponthe user 50 releasing the trigger 24, a suction motion draws a newportion of the liquid 56 from the reservoir 14 cavity, through the tube36, through the in-valve 34, through a plurality of flow holes 62 andinto the recently discharged chamber as the spring 28 urges the plunger30 back toward its unloaded position. In the unloaded position, and asthe plunger moves toward the loaded position, the in-valve ball 32 isdimensioned and adapted to seal the in-valve 34 so that the new portionof the liquid is prevented from flowing into the tube 36. The trigger 24is disposed near the handle portion 64.

The pump egress may be operably interconnected to the spray outlet 46 byspray tube 38, an out-valve 40, and an out-valve ball 42 dimensioned andadapted to discharge the flow of liquid 60, under pressure, from thepump egress and out the spray outlet 46 as a jet or spray of liquid 56.In effect, the spray outlet, via the liquid sprayer 80, is in fluidcommunication with the reservoir 14.

The leash assembly 90 may be disposed near the front end of the housing.The leash assembly 90 may include a leash hook 22 for removablyconnecting a dog leash 54 thereto. In certain embodiments, the leashassembly 90 may include a retractable leash system or any other knownleash system known in the art for leashing a walking dog.

Referring to FIG. 11, a method of using the present invention mayinclude the following. The user 50 may connect the dog 52 to the leashassembly 90, in step 210. In step 220, the dog 52 engages in badbehavior. Then, in step 230, the user 50 discharges a jet of liquid 56at or near the dog 52. In certain embodiments, step 230 is done inconjunction with a command. The command may be “leave it” or some otherfunctional command understood by the dog 52 to cease such behavior. Instep 240, the dog 52 improves their behavior.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of training a domesticated animalrestrained by a leash, comprising the steps of: providing a leashtraining device comprising: a housing having a front end and a rear end,wherein the housing houses a liquid sprayer; a sprayer outlet disposednear the front end, wherein the spray outlet is fluidly communicatingwith the liquid sprayer; a handle portion disposed near the rear end,wherein the handle portion provides a trigger for selectively engagingthe liquid sprayer; and a leash assembly disposed near the front end;filling the liquid sprayer with a non-threatening liquid;interconnecting the leash between the domesticated animal and the leashassembly; and selectively triggering the liquid sprayer to urge a jet ofthe non-threatening liquid through the spray outlet toward thedomesticated animal when it is engaged in correctible behavior.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the jet of liquid hits the domesticatedanimal.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step ofuttering a command around the time of the correctible behavior.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, wherein the command is “leave it”.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the non-threatening liquid is water.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the correctible behavior is a common issue when walkingthe domesticated animal.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein thedomesticated animal is a pet dog.
 8. A method of training a domesticatedanimal restrained by a leash, comprising the steps of: providing a leashtraining device comprising: a sprayer outlet disposed at a front end ofthe leash training device, wherein the spray outlet is adapted to spraya non-threatening liquid housed therein; and a leash assembly disposednear the sprayer outlet; interconnecting the leash between thedomesticated animal and the leash assembly; and selectively spraying thenon-threatening liquid through the spray outlet toward the domesticatedanimal when it is engaged in correctible behavior.